Missouri Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana Introduced

On Wednesday, Rep. Chris Kelly introduced HB 1659, which would end the prohibition of marijuana in Missouri. The bill, similar to the law currently in effect in Colorado, would allow adults to possess, use, and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana with no penalty. It would also set up a taxed and regulated market for marijuana cultivation and sale.

Meanwhile, another bill has also been introduced and represents a step in the right direction. Sen. Jolie Justus introduced SB 491, which would establish a new class of low-level offense for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Individuals would not be forced to spend time in jail, and fines would be limited from their current levels.

Missouri is the “Show Me State.” Colorado has shown the lawmakers of Missouri marijuana can be a win, win situation for everyone. We should get back to American Farming and put our farmers to work in Missouri. Tammy Beth, a Missouri voter.

Dear Congressional Representatives, Government Officials, and Law Enforcement Agents,

I am writing to ask that you please support medical use and decriminalization of marijuana because science has now verified its therapeutic properties beyond any reasonable doubt, and this important information must be learned by every congressional representative, policy maker, and law enforcement officer so that our government and health care systems can be updated and improved accordingly.[1-17] Pharmaceutical corporations even manufacture marijuana-based drugs such as Sativex and Marinol, but these synthetic chemicals do not have the efficacy that organic marijuana has for many patients. Additionally, marijuana does not have to be smoked to experience its therapeutic benefits, for it can also be eaten or juiced as well.[13] Please consider the following scientific information:

DEA Judge Young found that “marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. At present it is estimated that marijuana’s LD-50 [median lethal dose] is around 1:20,000 or 1:40,000. In layman’s terms… a smoker would theoretically have to consume 20,000 to 40,000 times as much marijuana as is contained in one marijuana cigarette… nearly 1500 pounds of marijuana within about fifteen minutes to induce a lethal response.” (New England Journal of Medicine: Legal Issues in Medicine, August 7, 1997 — Volume 337, Number 6)

Toxicity is virtually nonexistent in natural marijuana. The toxicity levels of cannabis compounds are estimated at 40,000, meaning that a subject would have to ingest 40,000 times the regular dose to induce death. “In layman’s terms,” according to The New England Journal of Medicine, “a smoker would theoretically have to consume nearly 1,500 pounds of marijuana within about fifteen minutes to induce a lethal response.” [2] While that amount of consumption is certainly an impossible feat, in comparison, legal prescription medications cause thousands of deaths per year. [3] Common household drugs are much more lethal than marijuana. For instance, a lethal dose of caffeine is equal to about 100 cups of coffee. [4] In 1972, after reviewing the scientific evidence, the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse concluded that while marijuana was not entirely safe, its dangers had been grossly overstated. [5] Since then, researchers have conducted thousands of studies on humans, animals and cell cultures. None of those describe any findings dramatically different from those described by the National Commission in 1972. [6] In 2008, The Canadian Medical Association Journal published a review of research spanning 30 years, concluding that there are no serious adverse effects of cannabis use.[6] Contaminants, however, are known to be hazardous, especially to those suffering from immune disorders. [8]

The law allows a dangerous drug called “alcohol” to be legal and there are thousands of deaths due to this “legal” drug….How many deaths has marijuana caused? Not very many at all if any… There are many people that have very normal lives with marijuana usage and function better in society. Personally, I use this drug to help ease the panic attacks from moderate to severe anxiety, as well as a mood stabilizer..When not using marijuana i have panic attacks on a regular basis as well as anger issues. this drug also helps numbs the pain that the pain medicine doesn’t …actually i would not think to take any pain medicine if i had access to marijuana when i was in pain..
In any facts that are found as a negative effect of marijuana I believe that the positives completely out weigh them. No it is not a miracle drug but i believe it can help cut back on some types of medications that are abused. I pray you will help medical marijuana become legal so people that would like to lead normal lives can and due so without being afraid of being arrested for trying to feel normal. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Shana Moore

Categories

Blogroll

The opinions expressed by our viewers and posters do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Marijuana Policy Project. These views are those of their individual authors alone. MPP does not condone or support the illegal use of marijuana. We do encourage open and frank discussion, but if a comment has been posted that is in some way significantly inappropriate, please email us at [email protected] to report it. Thank you, and we're looking forward to what you think!